Table leg lock



April 13, 19,37. g AG. EAcoRDUAN ET Al. 4 2,076,620

' y lTABLE `LEG LOCK Filed March yles, 195e 2 sheets-sheet 1 April 13, 4193.7. G. Ef coRDUAN tr AL '2,076,520

TABLE LEG LOCK Filed March 16, 193e 2 sheets4'sheet 2 Imfenfo. 1.7 [bm/m22? Patented Apr. 13, 1937 UNITED STATES TABLE LEG LOCK Gustav E. Corduan and Walter E. Corduan, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Corduan Manufacturing- Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application March 16, 1936, Serial No. 69,126

8 Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in a table leg lock, more particularly to improved means for removably locking in upright supporting position the foldable legs of a small table, such as a card table.

Many well known types of card tables are provided witlr swinging legs which may be moved from a folded position beneath and parallel to the table top to an upright table-supporting posi- 10 tion at substantial right angles to thev corner portions of the table. Many types of locking means havebeen provided for holding the legs in this upright position so that the table willl not collapse. In many instances, these locking means, or a portion thereof, are carried by the legs themselves, thus complicating the leg construction and forming objectionable obstructions on the legs or beneath the corner portions of the table. According to the present improved and simplified construction, the entire locking means is carried by the top frame and simply engages against a portion of the leg to hold same in upright position.

More specifically, a yoke member is secured to the corner portion of the table, the leg being pivoted between the side bars of the yoke and swinging through the open end of the yoke into folded position against the table top. When the leg is swung to upright position, it is braced on three sides by the yoke member, and a pivoted locking member automatically moves into engagement with the fourth side of the leg or an opening in the leg to hold the leg against swinging back out of the yoke. This locking member is manually moved to unlocked position when the leg is to be folded, but automatically returns into position over the folded leg so as to assist in yieldably holding the leg in this folded position. When the leg is swung to upright position the locking member is automatically cammed out of the path of the leg and then snapped into locking position by a spring means when the leg reaches its normal upright position.

The principal' object of this invention is to provide an improved table leg lock of the type briefly described hereinabove and disclosed more in detail in the specications which follow.

Another object is to provide an improved form of locking means for engaging the swinging leg of a foldable card table.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of certain approved forms of appaprinciples of'v this invention,

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig, 1 is a perspective view of one corner portion of a card table with the leg which supports this corner shown in upright supporting position.

Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of one corner 5; portion of the table top showing one preferred form of lock, the leg being extended and shownv in horizontal section.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. I

Fig. 4 is' a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the leg in folded position.

Fig. 5 is a detached perspective view of the locking assembly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the leg being removed to facilitate the disclosure. '15

Figs. 6, '7 and 8 correspond to Figs. 2, 3 and 5, respectively, but show a modied form of locking means.

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 alsocorrespond to Figs. 2, 3 and 5, respectively, butl show'a third form of lockft ing means. 20

The table comprises a top supporting frame I which is centrally recessed and provided with a depending internal flange 2 adapted to support the centraltop panel 3 which may be held in place by the binding means indicated at 3. The frame is provided with downwardly extending substantially vertical side anges 4 which may be corrugated at 5 and provided with a bottom bead 6 for both strengthening and ornamental purposes. The corner portions of the frame may be overlapped and riveted or spot-welded together'as indicated generally at 'I in Fig. 1. v

At each corner of the frame there is pivoted! a leg 8 which may also be formed of sheet metal. 3'5 These legs may have a round or square: or any. other suitable cross-section. In the leg here shown by way of example, the lower portion ,of the leg is of circular cross-section and tapers downwardly toward a smaller lower end 9 which 40 may be formed with a suitable supporting foot. The upper end portion I0 of the leg is attened out to provide a four-sided construction which cooperatesv effectively with the pivoting, bracing and locking meansl hereinafter described, al- 45 though it will be apparent that the entire leg could be made circular in cross-section. A yoke member I I` bent from fairly heavy fiat bar metal. com-v prises a cross bar I2 connecting a pair of parallel side bars I3 and I4. 'I'he portions I2 and I3 of- -50 the yoke member I I are spot-welded or otherwise secured to the adjacent frame members 4 at the corner of the table, as indicated at I5'. strengthens and braces the table frame and se cures the leg to the table top. Preferably a right-4 55 angled bar or plate I6 is interposed between the yoke member I I and the corner frame members to give additional strength to the frame construc-4 The upper end portion of leg 8 is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin I`| between the side barsY I3 and I4 of the yoke. The pinI'I may be riveted or otherwise secured in the side bars. The leg 8 is adapted to swing through the open end of the yoke to the position indicated in dotted lines at I8 in Fig. 2, and in solid lines in Fig. 4, in which position the leg lies against and parallel to the under surface of the table top. It will be understood that the four legs 8 are so arranged that one will fold adjacent each side edge of the table. When the leg 8 is swung to upright supporting position, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the three side portions a, b and c of the upper portion of the leg will move into close bracing engagement with the respective sides I3, I2 and I4 of the'yoke member and be held against further movement in each of these three directions. The fourth side d of the legis held against swinging movement by the Vlocking' means now to be described. Y* Y Referring now to the form of locking means shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the two side bars I3 and I4 are notched at I9 and 20 respectively in line with or parallel to the outer face of side d of the leg. Beyond the notch 20 the leg I4 is bent laterally at right angles, as indicated at 2|, toform a supporting means for the movable locking member. y comprises a swinging plate or leverrpivoted on 40 the yoke extension 2| by meswofa pin 6r rivet 23. The longer arm 24 of this lever is adapted to swing into the notches I9 and 20 and in engagement with the side d-of the leg so as to prevent the leg from swinging back to folded posi- 45 tion. The arm 24 may engage directly with the side of the leg, or may be formed'with an oiset boss or projection 25 which engages the leg. This boss may be deeper at the bottom than at the top so as to have a camming action on the leg V as it is swung `upwardly to locking position. It

' will be noted that this locking bar 24, together with the three sides I2, I3 and I4 of the yoke forms a iixed solid box or receptacle in which the upper portion of the leg is firmly held from movement in any direction. A torsion spring 26 is intermediately coiled about a lug 21 projecting from plate 2| with one end 28 of the spring bearing against a lug29 on the supporting plate, and the other end 30 of the spring bearing against the under face'of a finger piece 3| formed on locking member 22. The spring always tends to swing the member-22 up to locking position, that is to position within the.' notches and I8, but the finger piece 3| may be manually pushed up to; swing the vmember 22 to unlocked position against the resistance of spring 26.

Assuming that the table is in the normal upright position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and that it is desired to fold the legs, each leg is successively v folded by pushing up on the finger piece -3I and thus swinging the locking member 22 to released position whereupon the leg is swungv to the position shown in dotted lines Fig. 2, or solid lines Fig. 4, against the under face of the table top.

'15 AS Soon as the locking member. 22 is released.

This locking member 22V it will swing back into position within the notches I9 and 20 against the outer surface of the opposite side b of the leg as shown in Fig. 4. In this position it will assist in yieldably holding the leg in folded position. Whenit is desired to again erect the table for use, each leg is grasped at any convenient placeand swung outwardly away from the table to its upright position. VDuring this movement of the leg the locking member 22 will be cammed out of position as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4, and as soon yas the leg v*is fully extended the locking `member will automatically swing into locking position under the influence of spring 26. It will thus be seen that the locking operation is entirely automatic.

If desired-the parts may be given an initial tight fit (augmented perhaps by the paint covering), so that the locking arm 24 will not, at

first, swing completely into the locking notch I9 but will bind when in some intermediate position such as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. As the parts wear and the fit becomes looser, the locking arm will swing further into notch I9. This action is also reinforced by the cam in-l clination of boss 25, and if desired the notch I 9 may be inclined as shown in Fig. 5 to increase the binding action as the lever is swung further toward `the table-top. i

It will be noted that this improved locking mechanism is very simple and economical in construction and provides a i'lrm support for the leg when in both extended or folded positions. The parts of the locking means are either integral with or carried by the yoke frame vin which the leg is pivoted, and this frame serves as a bracing an-d strengthening means for the corner portion ofthe table frame. No part of the locking means is carried by the leg itself, nor does any portion of the locking means project materially beneath the table frame so that there are no obstructions on the legs or adjacent thereto.

Referring knowto the modification shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the locking member 32 is generally similar in construction to the locking member 22 previously described except for the fact that the locking arm 33 which projects through notch 20 is much shorter and is simply adapted to overlap one edge portion of the leg` as indicated in Figs. 6 and 7. Also the pivoted body portion of the locking member is made much deeper as indicated at 34, andthe pivot pin 23 is positioned higher on supporting plateY 2|, so that a relatively small swinging movement imparted to the finger piece 35 will swing the locking finger 33 through a longer arc. Therefore a. relatively smaller movement of the finger piece will suiiice to move the locking member from locked to unlocked position. Since this form of" locking member only engages a portion of one sure exerted on the leg tending to deform theleg a reinforcing casing or sheathing around at least,v

three sides of the leg as indicated at 36 in Figs. 6 and 7. y

Referring now to the modification shown in Figs. 9, l0 and 1l, the locking member 3'I` is substantially the same as the locking member 32, but the locking finger 38at the inner end thereofv is adapted to engage in a slot or opening 39 formed in one side c of theleg 8. In this modification the upper portion of the leg is shown as reinforced by an inner sleeve 40, which may or may not be recessed in line with the recess 39 in the leg member. The opening `39 neednot exform of Ja, dent or depression pressed intothe metal. This would not weaken the leg as rmuch f as cutting a slot completely through the metal and the reinforcement 4E) would not be necessary.

, Both of the modiedforms, lastfdescribed operate in substantially the same manner as theflrst described form of the invention;r It will be ob- Served that bothof the locking members '32 or 3l close inabove the yleg when in folded position, and these locking members are automatically cammed out of the way when the leg is swung to upright position, the locking member then swinging automatically into engagement with the' leg under the influence of spring 26.

We claim:

l. In combination with a table-top frame and a leg pivotally attached to the table near one corner` thereof so as to be swung from a folded position parallel to the table-top to an upright supporting position at right-angles to the top, there being an opening formed'in the upper portion of the leg, means carried by the frame for holding the leg in upright position, said means comprising a member pivoted intermediate its length for swinging movement in a plane at substantial right-angles to the plane of swinging movement of the leg so that one end portion will swing into and out of locking engagement with the opening in the leg, and a spring for automatically moving the member into locking position.

2. In combination with altable-top frame and a leg pivotally attached to the table near one corner thereof so as to be swung from a folded holding the leg in upright position, said means comprising a member pivoted intermediate its length to swing in a plane at substantial rightangles to the plane of swinging movement of the leg so that one end portion will swing into and out of locking engagement with the opening in the leg when upright and also into engagement with the outer exposed face of the leg when the leg is folded parallel to the table-top, and a spring for automatically moving the member into locking position, the leg automatically camming the locking member out of its path when swung from folded to upright position.

3. In combination with a table-top frame and a leg pivotally attached to the table near one corner thereof so as to swing from a folded position parallel to the top to an upright supporting position at right-angles to the top, a yoke member secured to the frame and comprising a crossbar and a paix` of parallel side-bars, the leg being pivoted at its upper end between the side-bars so as to swing to folded position through the open side of the yoke, the cross-bar and side-bars engaging three sides of the leg when the leg is swung to upright position, there being an opening in the upper portion of the leg, and a locking member pivotally mounted on the yoke-member and adapted to swing in a plane at substantial right angles to the plane of swinging movement of therleg into the opening to hold the leg upright.

4. In combination with a table-top frame and a leg pivotally attached to the table near one corner thereof so as to swing from a folded position parallel to the top to an upright supporting position at right-angles to the top, a yoke-member comprising a crossebar anda pair of parallel side-bars secured to the frame, the leg being pivoted between the side bars so'as to swing to folded position through the open sidefof the yoke, the cross-bar and Side-bars engaging three sides of the leg when the leg is swung to upright position, the opposite side bars being notched in line with the fourth side of the upright leg, `a

locking member pivotally mounted on one of the side bars in position to swing in a plane at substantial right-angles to the plane of swinging movement ofthe leg into and out of the notches, and a spring for automatically swinging the looking member into the notches in locking engagement with the fourth side ofthe upright leg.

5. In combination with a table-top frame and a leg pivotally attached to the table near one corner thereof so as torswing from a folded position parallel to the top to an upright supporting position at right-angles to the top, a yoke-member comprising a cross-bar and a pair kof parallel side-bars secured` to the frame, the leg being pivoted between the side bars so as to swing to folded position through the open side of the yoke, the cross-bar and side-bars engaging three sides of the leg when the leg is swung to upright position, the opposite side bars being notched in line with the fourth side of the upright leg, a locking member pivotally mounted on one of the side bars in position to swing in a plane at substantial right-angles to the plane of swinging movement of the leg into and out of the notches, and a spring for automatically swinging the locking member into the notches in locking engagement with the fourth side of the upright leg or into engagement with the opposite side of the leg when folded, the leg automatically camming the locking member out of its path when swung from folded to upright position.

5. In combination with a table top frame and a leg pivotally attached to the table near one corner thereof so as to swing from a folded position parallel to the top to an upright supporting position at right-angles to the top, a yoke-member comprising a cross-bar and a pair of parallel side-bars secured to the frame, the leg being pivoted between the side bars so as to swing to folded position through the openside of the yoke, the cross-bar and side-bars engaging three sides of the leg when the leg is swung to upright position, the opposite side bars being notched in liney 'with the fourth side of the upright leg, one of the side-bars being bent laterally beyond the notch therein to form a supporting plate, a locking member pivotally mounted on this plate and adapted to swing in a plane at substantial rightangles to the plane of swinging movement of the leg into or out of the notches so as to engage the fourth side of the leg, and a spring for normally swinging the locking member into the notches.

7. In combination with a table top and a legivotally attached to the table near one corner thereof so as to swing from a folded position parallel to the table-topV to an upright supporting position at right-angles to the top, a yoke-member comprising a cross-bar and' a pair of parallel side-bars secured to the frame, the leg being pivoted between the side-bars so as to swing to ment in a plane at substantial right-angles to the plane of swinging movement of the leg, the last mentioned side-bar being notched adjacent the bent portion'thereof, and a. spring for normally swinging the locking .member into this notch and intovlocking' engagement with the leg.

8. Incombinationwith a table top-*andra leg pivotally attachedto the tablenear oney corner thereof so as to swing from a vfoldedrposition parallel to the table-top to an uprightV supporting position aty right-angles to the top, a yokemember comprising a cross-bar and a 'pair of parallel lside--bars secured to the frame, the leg being pivoted between the side-bars so as to Swing to folded position through the open side 0i?V the yoke. thecross-bar and side-bars engaging three sides of the leg when the leg is swung to Vupright position, one of the side-bars being bent laterally to `form a. supporting plate, a locking member pivotally mounted' onV this fplateA for swinging f movement in a, plane `at.substantial'right-angles 1.

to the plane of swinging movement of the legfthe rlast mentionedside-barbeing notched adjacent:` the bent portion thereof, an opening in the leg adapted to alignwithfthe notch when the legis -upright,`and a spring normally tending to swing the locking member through thenotch into the opening into the leg.Z Y' f Y.

GUSTAV EQCORDUAN. WALTER I E. rCORDUANL 

